apartment living room in ottawa

6 Signs It’s Time to Find a New Apartment

Have you been wondering if it’s time to move or start your apartment search? Casually eyeing rental listings, or daydreaming about a new space? Even if you still love your apartment, sometimes you’ve just outgrown your rental and want to move to somewhere new. 

Moving to a new apartment involves a lot of time and planning! You’ll want to take your time and give it careful thought and consideration before you decide to make the move. 

Here are five signs you’re ready to move on and find a new apartment or home to rent. 

 

1. You need more space, or less!

Whether it’s because you have accumulated more things than you have room for or you’re spending more time at home, feeling claustrophobic at home is a sign you should look for a new apartment. You can only Marie Kondo your apartment so many times before admitting defeat.   

If you feel like the walls are closing in on you, or you’re tired of bumping into things daily, it may be time to upgrade that bachelor to a one bedroom apartment, or even a two bedroom apartment. Nobody wants to live in a cramped space forever. It’s time to find a larger place to live! 

As an alternative, you may be considering finding a smaller space if you are looking to downsize. If this is the case, finding yourself a new apartment for downsizing is the way to go!

 

 

2. You’ve added another person (or pet!) to the mix

If you were living alone and all of a sudden your partner has moved in with you, you may find that your current space isn’t suitable for the both of you. Many couples try to make it work in a small shared space that doesn’t meet their needs and eventually choose to move on to a rental that better meets their requirements. 

Sometimes, getting a pet is also a good reason to move. Certain dogs are better suited for different sizes or types of apartments. Also, some buildings have certain restrictions around pets. 

Maybe you’ve decided to team up with a roommate for a more affordable living option. Or maybe you need a rental that can accommodate a growing family, like a single-family home for rent. These are all situations that often lead people to move. 

 

 

3. You can no longer afford your rent

If you are finding that you can’t afford your rent anymore, then that’s a sure way to know that it’s time to find a new apartment. Having a hard time making rent payments, being in constant debt and having to worry about whether or not you have enough to last until the end of the month are big indicators that you are living a lifestyle you can’t keep up with.  

Consider finding a smaller apartment or moving to a new location that is more affordable for you. Areas a bit further from city centers tend to be less expensive. Another option is to find a roommate and split costs.  

Trying to stretch yourself into surviving in a place that deep down, you know you can’t afford will only lead to headaches and heartache. Struggling to pay your rent is a real challenge – save yourself the stress and move on to something that is kinder to your bank account. 

 

4. You’ve experienced a major lifestyle change

Your apartment is likely where you spend most of your time. That being said, you want to be sure that the place you are renting is well-suited to your day-to-day life!  

Big life changes can mean that all of a sudden, your once-perfect apartment just doesn’t mesh as well with your life as it used to. Permanently working from home, going through a split, starting a family, or starting a new job are all very valid reasons to start looking for a new place to live. For example, if you’re starting a new job at the other end of the city, then you may want to consider apartment-hunting in a neighbourhood that will allow for an easy commute.

 

 

5. There are or will be major changes happening with your rental

change of ownership of a rental property tends to create a lot of change. Most investors desire to make improvements on the building, which means major renovationsThese upgrades are likely to be disruptive, as well as a major inconvenience for active tenants. So if you’re anticipating any big changes coming to your building, or if they’re happening already, it might be time to consider a move.  

 

6. It just feels right.

Sometimes, you might not be able to put your finger on the exact reason you want to move, but you just know it’s time. If it feels right, trust in your instincts and get started on your apartment search!  

 

 

Looking for a new place to live in Ottawa? Take a look at our rental listings or read more tenant tips. 

 

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